What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Published On: December 21st, 2022|Total Views: 5096|Daily Views: 1|13.1 min read|2580 words|

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Out of the various forms of depression that may affect your life, one major form of depression is a seasonal affective disorder. In this kind of disorder, you feel normal during the whole year round except in a certain season of the year when you feel depressed. Typically, this season is winter. It appears to be caused by the change in daylight hours. Seasonal affective disorder occurs at the same time each year. It has the potential to worsen pre-existing mental health disorders. This blog contains everything you need to know about it.

Explore here: What Is Emotional Distress?

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD

There are two main types of SAD. They are:

1. Winter pattern-SAD

It is the more common type. It begins in late fall or early winter. It can ease up in the spring and summer months. In the UK, the months between September to November characterise fall. Winter refers to the three months from December to February.

Winter pattern-SAD is a common type in the UK due to extreme cold and very little sunshine during these periods.

2. Summer pattern-SAD

This type is rare. It begins in late spring or early summer. It subsides in fall and winter. Spring in the UK begins in March and ends in May. The months of June, July, and August are the summer period.

This type of SAD is rare in the UK since the summers are mild and don’t last long.

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD

Reasons behind Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD normally occurs during winter due to reduced sunlight. This is because less natural light can impact the body and mind in a number of ways. Here are some of the effects of it on your body:

1. Interference with a person’s normal sleeping schedule

The 24-hour clock inside you helps control your sleep and waking time. The circadian rhythm keeps track of your alertness and is what this clock is called. This rhythm may be disrupted with the changes in sunlight.

  • This rhythm is interrupted during the winter (when there is not so much sunlight). Consequently, you become depressed and tired.
  • In summer, you might feel agitated and insomniac. Your rhythm is overstimulated because of too much light or heat.

2. Altered Brain Chemicals (Neurotransmitters)

SAD is also caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry. Limited exposure to light and daylight influences the production of chemicals and hormones in your body. An example of such chemicals is serotonin that regulates mood. When there is less sunlight, there is less serotonin and a more likely depression.Similarly, melatonin controls your sleep. In summer, SAD its imbalance can cause poor sleep.

Sometimes behaviours that are related to wintertime blues may also be connected to SAD if the severity doesn’t die over time.

“One theory proposes that people with seasonal affective disorder may have a reduction in the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called Serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, and researchers believe that sunlight controls the molecules’ levels that manage normal serotonin levels.”

-Shirley Davis

3. Vitamin D deficiency

This is more common in winter SAD. The lack of sunlight may lead you to have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D also impacts serotonin. However, this factor may not be applicable in summer SAD.

4. Genetics

Like many mental health conditions, seasonal affective disorder can also be genetic. This means you are at a higher risk if a close family member has experienced it. Moreover, the following conditions in the  family can also put you at risk:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder

Learn more about common mental health diagnoses in the UK. 

5. Location

In regions that are far away from the equator, winters are very long and dark. SAD is more frequent in these regions. Similarly, summer SAD can still occur in regions where temperatures get very high or days are very long.

UK is in the Northern hemisphere. Its distance to the equator is 3,826 miles. This means winter-SAD can occur commonly in this region.

According to the NHS,

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects one in 20 people (Healthwatch, 2023).

Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

The following are the prevalent signs and symptoms related to seasonal affective disorder:

  • Being sad majority of the time

You feel sad, worthless and upset for most part of the day. This feeling is an every day phenomenon.

  • Feeling low or inactive

You feel sluggish, and your energy feels really low.

  • Having sleep issues

Either you start sleeping more than usual or you cannot get out of bed in the morning.

  • Having carb cravings and overeating

This is a common symptom of winter SAD. You may feel your appetite increase for carbohydrates and gain weight as a result.

  • Experiencing concentration issues

You not only face troubles while focusing, but you also struggle with making decisions and remembering things.

  • Anxiety

You may become anxious and irritable. This restlessness is more commonly observed in summer SAD.

  • Having suicidal thoughts

If your SAD becomes more severe, you may have thoughts of suicide and death.

  • Physical symptoms

Apart from fatigue, you may feel pains and aches in different parts of your body.

Symptoms can be specific to summer and winter seasonal affective disorder. Here is a division of symptoms in each.

SymptomsSummer SADWinter SAD
SleepingOversleepingInsomnia
AppetiteCraving for carbsPoor appetite
WeightWeight gainWeight loss
EnergyTiredness and low energyAnxiety and agitation

Can SAD Make PTSD Harder to Manage

SAD can make it hard to mention other mental health issues, such as other forms of depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc.. It can especially aggravate PTSD in the following ways:

Worsened Emotional State

When sadness from disorder increases, it can lead to emotional overload. This burden makes it more tricky to manage trauma in a healthy way.

Overwhelming Feelings

SAD adds an emotional weight to feel even more helpless. This often leads to greater distress in daily life.

Click here to know about  What Are The Causes of PTSD ?

Diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder

Most kinds of depression have symptoms that overlap. This makes it hard to diagnose SAD. The doctors use techniques such as differential diagnosis. Here is how the diagnostic process works:

1. Visit your GP

If you believe you have seasonal affective disorder, you should visit your GP. They will carry out a mental health assessment. They may ask you questions about the following:

  • How you’re feeling emotionally
  • Your daily habits and routine
  • Any changes in your sleep or eating patterns
  • Changes in your thinking, action or feelings in some seasons
  • Performing daily chores is difficult due to your symptoms
  • Individual or familial history of depression

2. Identifying seasonal patterns

Seasonal pattern consists of the following factors:

  • Your depression should be recurring. It means it should occur at the same time every year.
  • The episode should begin and end in the same season.
  • Your pattern should be consistent for at least 2 years in a row.

3. Checking symptoms

Once the seasonal pattern is found, the next step is to examine your symptoms. To be diagnosed with SAD, you must have two types of symptoms:

  • You should have symptoms of depression. These symptoms include losing interest, feeling sad, fatigue, changes in appetite, etc.
  • You should show specific symptoms of SAD.

4. Evaluation

In this stage, your doctor has confirmed the symptoms. They are now proceeding the evaluation with tests for confirmation. Here are a few relevant tests that can be performed:

  • Physical exam:

Lab tests and physical exams are performed to check if there is a physical reason for the symptoms. If they are clear, the doctor then looks for other diagnoses.

  • History of mental health

In this step, a psychiatrist can check your medical history. They look for the following:

    • Past mood episodes
    • Mental health conditions
  • Questionnaires

There are questionnaires for a lot of mental health issues that can assess your symptoms. One such questionnaire for seasonal affective disorder is the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). It is used to determine if the criteria of SAD are met.

5. Differential diagnosis

It is important to rule out related conditions to reach the diagnosis. Here are some of the similar conditions that may overlap or cause the symptoms:

  • Major depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Seasonal mood episodes

If none of these is your case, then after all these steps, your doctor will diagnose you with seasonal affective disorder. You should then seek the right treatment.

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder

SAD can be treated by therapy or medication. Here are the commonly used treatments:

1. Light Therapy

Light therapy uses a bright lamp. You sit near it for 20-30 minutes daily. This boosts serotonin levels. It works as sunlight and lifts mood. Studies show light therapy works well for this disorder.

How Light Therapy Works

Light therapy works by imitating the sun. The light resets your body clock. It also makes you high in dopamine and you feel fresh and alive. Light therapy is quite useful to people with seasonal affective disorder.

Tips for Using Light Therapy:

Here are the tips you can use for light therapy:

  • Use it in the morning.
  • Place the lamp close to your face.
  • Do not stare at the light.
  • Start with 20 minutes daily.
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder

Side effects of light therapy:

Light therapy can have side effects as well. Therefore, if you have bipolar disorder, skin issues or eye issues, you should proceed with caution. Here are a few side effects:

  • Light therapy can give you mania in case you have bipolar disorder.
  • Looking directly into light may cause harm to your eyes, especially in case you have had or have cataracts and glaucoma
  • In case you have a sensitive skin then you need not expose yourself to the direct light over a long period of time.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. It is used in several mental health issues to change the way you think. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a commonly used talk therapy. It helps you change negative thoughts.

Get more insight on What Is CBT

CBT-SAD:

CBT-SAD is a type of CBT that is developed for seasonal affective disorder. It is usually given to you for six weeks in group sessions. It helps you in the following two ways:

Changing negative thoughts

Your therapist guides you in changing your negative thoughts about darkness or other factors. They also help you replace these thoughts with positive ones.

Behavioural activation

This is a process in which your therapist helps you identify indoor activities you enjoy. They use these to compensate for the loss of interest you have in the season.

3. Medication

Antidepressants can help balance brain chemicals. Medication may work best with therapy. It can be used independently as well. Serotonin levels in the brain are raised by antidepressants. Since this chemical regulates your mood, you feel better after its increase. Here is how it works:

How they work

These medicines do not show an instant effect. They take about 4 to 8 weeks to start making a difference. Some symptoms can get better before the overall mood, such as:

  • Poor sleep
  • Appetite
  • Focus issues

Finding a suitable medicine

Some doctors may prescribe you a number of different antidepressants before you even get to the right one.Try to work alongside your doctor and be patient at this stage.

Of all these drugs, SSRIs are recommended more than others. SSRIs are able to boost your brain’s serotonin, which can lift your spirits.

Bupropion is the name of the antidepressant that has FDA approval.  It can prevent SAD. You have to take it before the season starts and you must be consistent.

4. Vitamin D

This is a remedy for winter-type SAD. Not getting enough sunshine may make vitamin D levels in your body drop. So, consuming vitamin D pills may help boost your spirits and aid in increasing its levels.

These supplements have had conflicting outcomes in the past. Some studies have found them to be as effective as light therapy. Others don’t show any big difference.

A case study of seasonal affective disorder

This case is of summer SAD. It happened in India. It is about a man who was 46 years of age. He felt depressed on the arrival of summer. In July 2024, he came to the clinic. He was experiencing difficulties in sleeping. He also felt sad and tired. He didn’t enjoy any activity that he used to before. He also ate very little. He reported that these symptoms happened every summer and got better in winter. This happened first in 2000, and it was a severe episode. He attempted suicide in that episode. He was treated with medicines and electric shock therapy. The subsequent episodes were milder. He was prescribed an anticonvulsant medicine to reduce the brain’s activity. Yet, he felt depressed even after taking it.

Diagnosis

Doctors confirmed his diagnosis using criteria from DSM-5 and SPAQ. His depression was ranked moderate.

Treatment

He was prescribed an antidepressant of 50mg in addition to his old medicine. The dose was later increased to 100mg. After 4-6 weeks, his mood started getting better. He was made aware of his condition, yet he chose not to go to therapy.

This case proved that summer SAD caused:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling tense or angry

It also proved that treatment can be helpful in the case of seasonal affective disorder.

Lifestyle changes for seasonal affective disorder

Apart from treatments, you can make changes in your lifestyle for better results. Here are some of those changes:

1. Physical activity and a good diet

Physical activity, such as exercise, can make you energetic. It can also improve your mood. If you just take a 20-minute walk every day, that too can improve your mood. Apart from that, take up activities such as cycling.

It also helps to eat healthy food. It will be able to supply your brain with the nutrients necessary to nourish your brain. Try:

  • Leafy greens
  • Omega-3-rich food
  • Nuts and seeds

2. Sleep Hygiene

Maintain your sleeping and waking times. This can stabilise your body clock. Sleep deprivation is an efficient solution of short-term symptoms. The long-term effects are, however, unclear.

3. Relaxation Techniques

Dealing with stress on top of SAD may make the SAD symptoms worse. You may relieve seasonal affective disorder using yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques. You can also listen to uplifting music to treat some symptoms.

4. Social life

Isolation is one of the key factors that can worsen all sorts of depression. Therefore, having an active social life is highly critical on your part. For this, you can hang out with your friends more frequently. You can also speak to your family more often. You can also take part in social activities. Another way to socialise is to attend group therapy.

Get insights on Group Therapy for Mental Health. 

Get Help From Concise Medico

Seasonal affective disorder worsens symptoms of other mental health disorders. It can affect your moods and thoughts. CBT and light therapy can be effective treatment options. At times, medication can aid in it. The symptoms can also be addressed using healthy lifestyle. The healing needs some time but one can cope with stress. At Concise Medico, we can assist you with providing several therapy options. For instance, our experts can administer CBT-SAD, which can help you in healing. We can carry out mental health assessments to give you a true picture of your condition.

So, If you feel stressed, reach out for help today.

Struggling with Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Let Concise Medico’s mental health professionals provide the right evaluation and support you need.

FAQs

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?2025-03-07T04:28:45+00:00

SAD is a form of depression triggered by seasonal changes, often during winter, causing low energy, sadness, and sleep issues.

How does SAD trigger PTSD?2025-03-07T04:29:31+00:00

The lack of sunlight and shorter days can worsen PTSD symptoms, leading to anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disruptions.

What are the symptoms of SAD and PTSD?2025-03-07T04:30:09+00:00

SAD causes low energy, oversleeping, and weight gain, while PTSD includes flashbacks, nightmares, and negative thoughts. Symptoms can overlap.

How does light therapy help?2025-03-07T04:30:52+00:00

Light therapy mimics sunlight to improve mood, reset the body’s internal clock, and alleviate SAD symptoms, which can also help PTSD.

What treatments are available for SAD and PTSD?2025-03-07T04:31:23+00:00

Treatments include cognitive therapy, antidepressants, exercise, relaxation techniques, and light therapy.

Share This Article!

Out of the various forms of depression that may affect your life, one major form of depression is a seasonal affective disorder. In this kind of disorder, you feel normal during the whole year round except in a certain season of the year when you feel depressed. Typically, this season is winter. It appears to be caused by the change in daylight hours. Seasonal affective disorder occurs at the same time each year. It has the potential to worsen pre-existing mental health disorders. This blog contains everything you need to know about it.

Explore here: What Is Emotional Distress?

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD

There are two main types of SAD. They are:

1. Winter pattern-SAD

It is the more common type. It begins in late fall or early winter. It can ease up in the spring and summer months. In the UK, the months between September to November characterise fall. Winter refers to the three months from December to February.

Winter pattern-SAD is a common type in the UK due to extreme cold and very little sunshine during these periods.

2. Summer pattern-SAD

This type is rare. It begins in late spring or early summer. It subsides in fall and winter. Spring in the UK begins in March and ends in May. The months of June, July, and August are the summer period.

This type of SAD is rare in the UK since the summers are mild and don’t last long.

Types of Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD

Reasons behind Seasonal Affective Disorder

SAD normally occurs during winter due to reduced sunlight. This is because less natural light can impact the body and mind in a number of ways. Here are some of the effects of it on your body:

1. Interference with a person’s normal sleeping schedule

The 24-hour clock inside you helps control your sleep and waking time. The circadian rhythm keeps track of your alertness and is what this clock is called. This rhythm may be disrupted with the changes in sunlight.

  • This rhythm is interrupted during the winter (when there is not so much sunlight). Consequently, you become depressed and tired.
  • In summer, you might feel agitated and insomniac. Your rhythm is overstimulated because of too much light or heat.

2. Altered Brain Chemicals (Neurotransmitters)

SAD is also caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry. Limited exposure to light and daylight influences the production of chemicals and hormones in your body. An example of such chemicals is serotonin that regulates mood. When there is less sunlight, there is less serotonin and a more likely depression.Similarly, melatonin controls your sleep. In summer, SAD its imbalance can cause poor sleep.

Sometimes behaviours that are related to wintertime blues may also be connected to SAD if the severity doesn’t die over time.

“One theory proposes that people with seasonal affective disorder may have a reduction in the brain chemical (neurotransmitter) called Serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate mood, and researchers believe that sunlight controls the molecules’ levels that manage normal serotonin levels.”

-Shirley Davis

3. Vitamin D deficiency

This is more common in winter SAD. The lack of sunlight may lead you to have a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D also impacts serotonin. However, this factor may not be applicable in summer SAD.

4. Genetics

Like many mental health conditions, seasonal affective disorder can also be genetic. This means you are at a higher risk if a close family member has experienced it. Moreover, the following conditions in the  family can also put you at risk:

  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder

Learn more about common mental health diagnoses in the UK. 

5. Location

In regions that are far away from the equator, winters are very long and dark. SAD is more frequent in these regions. Similarly, summer SAD can still occur in regions where temperatures get very high or days are very long.

UK is in the Northern hemisphere. Its distance to the equator is 3,826 miles. This means winter-SAD can occur commonly in this region.

According to the NHS,

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects one in 20 people (Healthwatch, 2023).

Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder

The following are the prevalent signs and symptoms related to seasonal affective disorder:

  • Being sad majority of the time

You feel sad, worthless and upset for most part of the day. This feeling is an every day phenomenon.

  • Feeling low or inactive

You feel sluggish, and your energy feels really low.

  • Having sleep issues

Either you start sleeping more than usual or you cannot get out of bed in the morning.

  • Having carb cravings and overeating

This is a common symptom of winter SAD. You may feel your appetite increase for carbohydrates and gain weight as a result.

  • Experiencing concentration issues

You not only face troubles while focusing, but you also struggle with making decisions and remembering things.

  • Anxiety

You may become anxious and irritable. This restlessness is more commonly observed in summer SAD.

  • Having suicidal thoughts

If your SAD becomes more severe, you may have thoughts of suicide and death.

  • Physical symptoms

Apart from fatigue, you may feel pains and aches in different parts of your body.

Symptoms can be specific to summer and winter seasonal affective disorder. Here is a division of symptoms in each.

SymptomsSummer SADWinter SAD
SleepingOversleepingInsomnia
AppetiteCraving for carbsPoor appetite
WeightWeight gainWeight loss
EnergyTiredness and low energyAnxiety and agitation

Can SAD Make PTSD Harder to Manage

SAD can make it hard to mention other mental health issues, such as other forms of depression, PTSD, anxiety, etc.. It can especially aggravate PTSD in the following ways:

Worsened Emotional State

When sadness from disorder increases, it can lead to emotional overload. This burden makes it more tricky to manage trauma in a healthy way.

Overwhelming Feelings

SAD adds an emotional weight to feel even more helpless. This often leads to greater distress in daily life.

Click here to know about  What Are The Causes of PTSD ?

Diagnosis of seasonal affective disorder

Most kinds of depression have symptoms that overlap. This makes it hard to diagnose SAD. The doctors use techniques such as differential diagnosis. Here is how the diagnostic process works:

1. Visit your GP

If you believe you have seasonal affective disorder, you should visit your GP. They will carry out a mental health assessment. They may ask you questions about the following:

  • How you’re feeling emotionally
  • Your daily habits and routine
  • Any changes in your sleep or eating patterns
  • Changes in your thinking, action or feelings in some seasons
  • Performing daily chores is difficult due to your symptoms
  • Individual or familial history of depression

2. Identifying seasonal patterns

Seasonal pattern consists of the following factors:

  • Your depression should be recurring. It means it should occur at the same time every year.
  • The episode should begin and end in the same season.
  • Your pattern should be consistent for at least 2 years in a row.

3. Checking symptoms

Once the seasonal pattern is found, the next step is to examine your symptoms. To be diagnosed with SAD, you must have two types of symptoms:

  • You should have symptoms of depression. These symptoms include losing interest, feeling sad, fatigue, changes in appetite, etc.
  • You should show specific symptoms of SAD.

4. Evaluation

In this stage, your doctor has confirmed the symptoms. They are now proceeding the evaluation with tests for confirmation. Here are a few relevant tests that can be performed:

  • Physical exam:

Lab tests and physical exams are performed to check if there is a physical reason for the symptoms. If they are clear, the doctor then looks for other diagnoses.

  • History of mental health

In this step, a psychiatrist can check your medical history. They look for the following:

    • Past mood episodes
    • Mental health conditions
  • Questionnaires

There are questionnaires for a lot of mental health issues that can assess your symptoms. One such questionnaire for seasonal affective disorder is the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). It is used to determine if the criteria of SAD are met.

5. Differential diagnosis

It is important to rule out related conditions to reach the diagnosis. Here are some of the similar conditions that may overlap or cause the symptoms:

  • Major depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Seasonal mood episodes

If none of these is your case, then after all these steps, your doctor will diagnose you with seasonal affective disorder. You should then seek the right treatment.

Treatment for seasonal affective disorder

SAD can be treated by therapy or medication. Here are the commonly used treatments:

1. Light Therapy

Light therapy uses a bright lamp. You sit near it for 20-30 minutes daily. This boosts serotonin levels. It works as sunlight and lifts mood. Studies show light therapy works well for this disorder.

How Light Therapy Works

Light therapy works by imitating the sun. The light resets your body clock. It also makes you high in dopamine and you feel fresh and alive. Light therapy is quite useful to people with seasonal affective disorder.

Tips for Using Light Therapy:

Here are the tips you can use for light therapy:

  • Use it in the morning.
  • Place the lamp close to your face.
  • Do not stare at the light.
  • Start with 20 minutes daily.
Treatment for seasonal affective disorder

Side effects of light therapy:

Light therapy can have side effects as well. Therefore, if you have bipolar disorder, skin issues or eye issues, you should proceed with caution. Here are a few side effects:

  • Light therapy can give you mania in case you have bipolar disorder.
  • Looking directly into light may cause harm to your eyes, especially in case you have had or have cataracts and glaucoma
  • In case you have a sensitive skin then you need not expose yourself to the direct light over a long period of time.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy. It is used in several mental health issues to change the way you think. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a commonly used talk therapy. It helps you change negative thoughts.

Get more insight on What Is CBT

CBT-SAD:

CBT-SAD is a type of CBT that is developed for seasonal affective disorder. It is usually given to you for six weeks in group sessions. It helps you in the following two ways:

Changing negative thoughts

Your therapist guides you in changing your negative thoughts about darkness or other factors. They also help you replace these thoughts with positive ones.

Behavioural activation

This is a process in which your therapist helps you identify indoor activities you enjoy. They use these to compensate for the loss of interest you have in the season.

3. Medication

Antidepressants can help balance brain chemicals. Medication may work best with therapy. It can be used independently as well. Serotonin levels in the brain are raised by antidepressants. Since this chemical regulates your mood, you feel better after its increase. Here is how it works:

How they work

These medicines do not show an instant effect. They take about 4 to 8 weeks to start making a difference. Some symptoms can get better before the overall mood, such as:

  • Poor sleep
  • Appetite
  • Focus issues

Finding a suitable medicine

Some doctors may prescribe you a number of different antidepressants before you even get to the right one.Try to work alongside your doctor and be patient at this stage.

Of all these drugs, SSRIs are recommended more than others. SSRIs are able to boost your brain’s serotonin, which can lift your spirits.

Bupropion is the name of the antidepressant that has FDA approval.  It can prevent SAD. You have to take it before the season starts and you must be consistent.

4. Vitamin D

This is a remedy for winter-type SAD. Not getting enough sunshine may make vitamin D levels in your body drop. So, consuming vitamin D pills may help boost your spirits and aid in increasing its levels.

These supplements have had conflicting outcomes in the past. Some studies have found them to be as effective as light therapy. Others don’t show any big difference.

A case study of seasonal affective disorder

This case is of summer SAD. It happened in India. It is about a man who was 46 years of age. He felt depressed on the arrival of summer. In July 2024, he came to the clinic. He was experiencing difficulties in sleeping. He also felt sad and tired. He didn’t enjoy any activity that he used to before. He also ate very little. He reported that these symptoms happened every summer and got better in winter. This happened first in 2000, and it was a severe episode. He attempted suicide in that episode. He was treated with medicines and electric shock therapy. The subsequent episodes were milder. He was prescribed an anticonvulsant medicine to reduce the brain’s activity. Yet, he felt depressed even after taking it.

Diagnosis

Doctors confirmed his diagnosis using criteria from DSM-5 and SPAQ. His depression was ranked moderate.

Treatment

He was prescribed an antidepressant of 50mg in addition to his old medicine. The dose was later increased to 100mg. After 4-6 weeks, his mood started getting better. He was made aware of his condition, yet he chose not to go to therapy.

This case proved that summer SAD caused:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight loss
  • Feeling tense or angry

It also proved that treatment can be helpful in the case of seasonal affective disorder.

Lifestyle changes for seasonal affective disorder

Apart from treatments, you can make changes in your lifestyle for better results. Here are some of those changes:

1. Physical activity and a good diet

Physical activity, such as exercise, can make you energetic. It can also improve your mood. If you just take a 20-minute walk every day, that too can improve your mood. Apart from that, take up activities such as cycling.

It also helps to eat healthy food. It will be able to supply your brain with the nutrients necessary to nourish your brain. Try:

  • Leafy greens
  • Omega-3-rich food
  • Nuts and seeds

2. Sleep Hygiene

Maintain your sleeping and waking times. This can stabilise your body clock. Sleep deprivation is an efficient solution of short-term symptoms. The long-term effects are, however, unclear.

3. Relaxation Techniques

Dealing with stress on top of SAD may make the SAD symptoms worse. You may relieve seasonal affective disorder using yoga, meditation, and deep breathing techniques. You can also listen to uplifting music to treat some symptoms.

4. Social life

Isolation is one of the key factors that can worsen all sorts of depression. Therefore, having an active social life is highly critical on your part. For this, you can hang out with your friends more frequently. You can also speak to your family more often. You can also take part in social activities. Another way to socialise is to attend group therapy.

Get insights on Group Therapy for Mental Health. 

Get Help From Concise Medico

Seasonal affective disorder worsens symptoms of other mental health disorders. It can affect your moods and thoughts. CBT and light therapy can be effective treatment options. At times, medication can aid in it. The symptoms can also be addressed using healthy lifestyle. The healing needs some time but one can cope with stress. At Concise Medico, we can assist you with providing several therapy options. For instance, our experts can administer CBT-SAD, which can help you in healing. We can carry out mental health assessments to give you a true picture of your condition.

So, If you feel stressed, reach out for help today.

Struggling with Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Let Concise Medico’s mental health professionals provide the right evaluation and support you need.

FAQs

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?2025-03-07T04:28:45+00:00

SAD is a form of depression triggered by seasonal changes, often during winter, causing low energy, sadness, and sleep issues.

How does SAD trigger PTSD?2025-03-07T04:29:31+00:00

The lack of sunlight and shorter days can worsen PTSD symptoms, leading to anxiety, mood swings, and sleep disruptions.

What are the symptoms of SAD and PTSD?2025-03-07T04:30:09+00:00

SAD causes low energy, oversleeping, and weight gain, while PTSD includes flashbacks, nightmares, and negative thoughts. Symptoms can overlap.

How does light therapy help?2025-03-07T04:30:52+00:00

Light therapy mimics sunlight to improve mood, reset the body’s internal clock, and alleviate SAD symptoms, which can also help PTSD.

What treatments are available for SAD and PTSD?2025-03-07T04:31:23+00:00

Treatments include cognitive therapy, antidepressants, exercise, relaxation techniques, and light therapy.

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